ESL ALOUD

Guided Practice in Speaking English

Podcast #50 University Lectures and Classrooms

Does it make sense to have students attend lectures? A lecturer can make his presentation before a camera. The lecture can be distributed live via the Internet. It can also be made available on demand. Thousands can view the lecture around the world. What is the advantage of having a live audience?

Let’s take this a step further. How much better is a real classroom than a virtual one? A virtual classroom can accommodate students wherever they are. If a student is speaking, everyone else can see his or her image. Is it important to actually be in the same room?

Here is what the question comes down to: Except for laboratories, do we really need university buildings? By closing them, expenses can be dramatically reduced. Higher education could be made more affordable Distance learning is becoming increasingly popular. Is it time for the physical university to start shrinking?